Beth Welliver gets into the Leadville 100!

"It’s an uphill battle. Even downhill"

This is big news! I know a 100 miles doesn't sound like a lot when you're logging hours and miles on the road bike..but when it comes to a mt bike let me be the first to tell you - IT IS! Let alone, a 100 miles of mountain in Colorado...at altitude!

This will be a great challenge, and one we all believe Beth is certainly capable of achieving, and knocking out of the park! She just may have to borrow my scalpel...hehe.

If you haven't heard about the race, or watched the movie "Race Across the Sky", with none other than Lance Armstrong - here's a little description i took from their website. Thanks Leadville people!


"Determination. Guts. Insanity. If you don’t have them, stop reading now. Leadville events aren’t for everyone. They’re for only the toughest athletes looking to challenge themselves — and impress the world. Set 13,000 feet up in the treacherous Colorado Rocky terrain, the strong may survive, but only a few will leave with their pride.

Race Description

This is it. The race of all races. 100 miles across the high-altitude, extreme terrain of the Colorado Rockies. Created for only the most determined athletes. Starting at 9,000 feet and climbing to 13,000 feet, you’ll be challenged to catch your breath — while the views try to take it away."

Neat facts about Leadville the town -

Situated at an elevation of 10,152 feet (3094 m), Leadville is the highest incorporated city and the second highest incorporated municipality in the United States. A former silver mining town that lies near the headwaters of the Arkansas River in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the city includes the Leadville Historic District, which preserves many historic structures and sites from Leadville's dynamic mining era.

Top finishers in past years -

1. Rebecca Rusch, ID 7:47:35

2. Amanda Carey, ID 8:12:54

3. Anne Gonzales, CO 8:45:46

4. Natasha Hernday, CA 8:47:35

5. Lisa Isom, CO 8:47:51

6. Kelsy Bingham, UT 8:53:57

7. Rachel Farrett, CO 9:27:57

8. Jane Rynbrandt, CO 9:30:47

9. Johanna Mickle, CO 9:32:41

10. Kathy Kallner, AZ 9:32:50

Ron Riley (Team Bike Station Aptos) Race Re-Cap

Our very own Ron Riley beat his long standing nemesis Buz Brockway in 70+ cat 1 for first place in Sagebrush Safari, Kenda Cup #1 outside San Diego last Sunday despite the less than ideal weather conditions that included snow, ice, mud, and several chilly stream crossings. The weather was so bad, the original course was converted to a short loop which took a lot of effort to put together - way to go Kenda Cup race organizers!





This was Ron's debut of his new Scalpul 1 which he said performed perfectly under harsh conditions.

Congrats Ron and way to represent BSA on the podium!

Bike Station Aptos TV - CCCX MTB #1 - Fort Ord

Central Coast Circuit and MTB Race Reports - 2/12 & 2/13

We had yet another spectacular sunny weekend here in Santa Cruz, which made for some pretty great racing in Nor Cal. We are fortunate enough to have some really amazing local race promoters that put on great Cyclocross, Road, and Mountain Bike events in Monterey County. If you haven't checked out their website - do it! The CCCX series draw people and ability levels that span from beginner to professional, and because it's California you really never know who's gonna show up on race day.



As of Saturday morning there was one pre registered rider for the road circuit race in the W 123 category, so we figured it was going to be pretty low key. However, the field - combined with some super fast masters -- got up to over 20 which made for a really fun and competitive race! Overall Bike Station Aptos represented on the podium with a 3rd and 4th place in the W123 division. Way to go!

Shout out to Michelle Heaton who blasted past the 123's to snag the overall win, and Beverly Chaney who always makes me work harder than I want to in pretty much any race we enter - cross or road!



Sunday came too soon for me, but not soon enough for Devon apparently who made her way through multiple fields to win the Womens Expert/Pro MTB and probably a few of the Mens Expert age category races... Talk about talent - it was her first mtb race! And to top it all, she raced with a camelback on. hehe! It was a tiny womens field (hopefully that will change as the season progresses), but great course and as always very well run by Keith, Rod, and the rest of the CCCX crew.

Other notable BSA riders that competed were Ron Riley who battled it out in the 65+ category, Kurt Brown (Sport Men 35-44) who placed 5th out of an impressive group of 26 34, and Joseph DeSante (Sport Single Speed) who placed 5 out of 13. Also - we had a great little cheering section at the MTB race that consisted of Beth Welliver, a new member of the BSA womens team (yay!)who couldn't race due to being sick (no!), and Harriet Riley, devote race supporter and water-bottle-hand-up extraordinaire! Thanks you two!



Thanks for reading and thanks to all of our supportive sponsors!

Team Bike Station Girls

Been to Cafe Sparrow Latley?

Big thanks to Cafe Sparrow for their generous donation and sponsorship of the road team this year. We love our local sponsors, and encourage the friends of Bike Station Aptos to check them out. We believe in shopin' and livin' local. It takes a village! =)

Golden Gate and Jingle Cross - BSA in full force!

The weather has been setting the scene for some epic cyclocross, the Bike Station Aptos team has been out in full force representing in style on both sides of the country!

Devon flew East this past weekend for three days of cross at the UCI Jingle Cross Race in Iowa taking an impressive 3rd place on day two, with some of the best the Nation has to offer. Her former teammate Amanda Miller (Hudz Subaru) took 1st on day two and three - Way to go Amanda!

Good luck to Devon as she takes them all on again this weekend In Portland!

Malia, Johnny, and Courtney held the fort down locally at the renown Golden Gate Park race put on by Pilercitos Cyclesports. Tom Simpson and his dedicated crew put on a great race, as always. Courtney battled it out for 6th overall in the womens A's against some stiff competition. Malia suffered a catastrophic blow to her rear wheel that made the race a tough go, Johnny and Ron hammered hard in their respective categories.

Next up for the local crew is the exciting Bay Area Super Prestige series finale out at Coyote Point this Sunday. Then, everyone is off to Bend for Nationals where the rubber meets the road...or should I say MUD!

Thanks for reading, enjoy the photos from local photographers including Joe Fabris, Ted Ketai, Ja Heidi, and Rod Amberlang.